A great deal of history has been made in the Archdiocese of Dubuque since its founding in 1837. The Archives Office has attempted to put together a day by day accounting of both the significant and everyday events that have shaped our history.
| December | |
| Dec. 1, 1960: St. John/Placid completely destroyed by fire | The Witness |
| Dec. 1, 2001: Death of Father Wilfred W. Schmidt, retired priest of the Archdiocese. | The Witness |
| Dec. 1, 2006: Death of Father Vincent Merfeld, retired, Chaplain, U.S. Air Force. | The Witness |
| Dec. 2, 1925: First “Pignic Day” at St. John the Baptist, Peosta, held to help reduce the parish debt. It was the idea of pastor, Father J. Fred Kriebs. | The Witness |
| Dec. 3, 1889. St. Francis Xavier/Dyersville (future Basilica) dedicated | p. 85-Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 3, 1909: Birthday of Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt, recipient of the Silver Star and first U.S. Chaplain to be killed in WWII. | The Witness |
| Dec. 5, 1998: Death of Father Reynold J. Sigwarth, priest of the Archdiocese. | The Witness |
| Dec. 6, 1983: Rev. Raymond Roseliep, priest-poet died | The Witness |
| Dec. 7, 1941: Aloysius Schmitt died at Pearl Harbor. First military chaplain to die in WWII. | The Witness |
| Dec. 7, 1993: Death of Father John Kessler. | The Witness |
| Dec. 8, 1855: Bishop Loras bought a block of property in the newly founded city of Waverly to be site of first Waverly Catholic Church | p. 142 – Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 9, 1979: Death of Archbbishop Fulton Sheen. | The Witness |
| Dec. 9: Feast of Juan Diego. | The Witness |
| Dec. 10, 1837: Mathias Loras consecrated the first bishop of the newly erected See of Dubuque at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Mobile, Alabama | Driscoll, We Pray For Our Priests, p. 407 |
| Dec. 10, 1979: Mother Teresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. | The Witness |
| Dec. 10, 1972: Dedication of a new church and rectory at Sacred Heart Parish, Maquoketa. | The Witness |
| Dec. 10, 1968: Death of Thomas Merton, renowned Trappist, author and poet. | The Witness |
| Dec. 12, 1880: Building of Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque completed | p. 305 – Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 12, 2006: The Sisters of Mercy celebrated the 175th anniversary of their founding by Catherine McAuley. | The Witness |
| Dec. 13, 2009: Msgr. Francis Friedl penned his 10th book, “Loras Luminaries, Those Who Lit the Path for Others.” | The Witness |
| Dec. 14, 1933: Archbishop Beckman visit St. Mary/Waucoma for the first time, administers confirmation | p. 154-Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 16, 1870: St. Joseph Church (now Holy Family)/New Hampton dedicated | p. 276-Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 16, 1957: Death of Msgr. Michael Kerper, Nativity pastor for 30 years. | The Witness |
| Dec. 21, 1875: First resident pastor at Immaculate Conception/Gilbertville | p. 253-Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |
| Dec. 24, 1943: Father William Menster celebrated midnight Mass somewhere in the South Seas. | The Witness |
| Dec. 25, 1857: Bishop Loras offered the first Mass in the partially complete Cathedral | Driscoll, We Pray For Our Priests, p. 411 |
| Dec. 27, 1985: Death of Msgr. Anthony Sigwarth | The Witness |
| Dec. 29, 1968: Death of Msgr. Fred Kriebs, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and former manager of The Witness. | The Witness |
| Dec. 31, 1852: Rev. William Emmonds appointed first res. pastor of Holy Trinity (St. Mary/Dubuque) | p. 36 – Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (1937) |